Actor Lee Soon Jae, who passed away in the early hours of November 25 at the age of 91, is being remembered for his poignant words during a guest appearance on tvN’s 'You Quiz on the Block.' He had appeared on the show in April last year, reflecting on nearly 70 years of his acting career and leaving a deep impression on viewers.
The 'You Quiz' team shared photos of Lee Soon Jae from his appearance along with a tribute on their official social media, stating, “We mourn the passing of Lee Soon Jae, who brought immense comfort and joy to many. We will long remember a master who never stopped challenging himself throughout his life.”
Despite being 90 at the time of filming, Lee Soon Jae displayed the same unwavering dedication to acting. Responding to a comment that he rarely made mistakes on set, he said, “Occasionally I do make mistakes—not in critical scenes, but sometimes I forget lines. If you prepare the script thoroughly before filming, you can avoid mistakes.”
He explained his personal philosophy: “For an actor, memory is a matter of pride. Forgetting lines causes inconvenience to colleagues and juniors.”
Lee Soon Jae also shared his methods for keeping his memory sharp, joking about memorizing the names of U.S. presidents, and admitted candidly, “Acting is not easy. Even now, I still find myself thinking, ‘How should I do this?’”
Humility marked his reflections on the craft: “There may be masters of a certain era, but that doesn’t define the end of art. It’s about constantly challenging something new.”
The program also included a segment where he remembered close friends who had already passed. Of the six founding members of TBC, including Lee Nak Hoon, Kim Dong Hoon, Kim Sung Ok, Kim Soon Chul, Oh Hyun Kyung, and Lee Soon Jae himself, he was the last surviving member.
He remarked, “When I go, the six of us will meet in the afterlife. Life and death are uncertain. You can try, but effort alone doesn’t guarantee results.”
On his enduring love for acting, he added, “The happiest death is to die while performing. Collapsing on stage would be the happiest way to go. That is the most fulfilling moment for an actor.”
Lee Soon Jae debuted in 1956 with the play 'Beyond the Horizon' and enjoyed a prolific career spanning theater, television, and film. His work ranged from dramas like 'High Kick Through the Roof' and 'Dog Knows Everything' to stage productions such as 'King Lear' and 'Waiting for Godot.'
Last year, he became the oldest recipient of the KBS Drama Awards Grand Prize for his role in 'Dog Knows Everything.'
According to his family, the funeral is being held at Seoul Asan Medical Center, Funeral Hall 30 in Songpa District, Seoul. The funeral service will take place on November 27 at 6:20 AM, and he will be laid to rest at Eden Paradise in Icheon.
Fans and colleagues alike mourn the loss of a devoted actor who dedicated his entire life to the craft, leaving a lasting legacy in Korean entertainment.
SEE ALSO: Government posthumously awards Lee Soon Jae the Gold Crown Order of Cultural Merit
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